21 Feb 2017

Liverpool have been handed a massive boost in the pursuit of one of Jurgen Klopp's reported transfer targets.

Last month, Italian newspaper TuttoSport claimed that liverpool 'held talks; with Man City about signing Hart this summer, and Sky Sports further claimed:

"Joe Hart is keen on a return to the Premier League, and has told friends he would jump at the chance to join Liverpool"

Well, according to The Times today, there are no obstacles in the way of a summer deal:

"Joe Hart is free to join one of Man City’s Prem rivals. Contrary to suggestions that City had told Hart that he would not be able to join one of their top-six competitors, no such stipulation is in place".

In recent months, Jamie Carragher, Stan Collymore, and Jamie Redknapp have all publicly urged Jurgen Klopp to splash the cash on Hart, and Harry Redknapp also believes that Hart is the solution to Liverpool's goalkeeping issues. Speaking to Betsafe earlier this month, Redknapp insisted:

"They [Mignolet and Karius] are decent goalkeepers but they're not top, top keepers and that's what Liverpool need. Joe Hart would be a perfect if they can get him."

"What I know is that Simon Mignolet could be on his with, and Joe Hart could be coming in".

Every year, there's at least one transfer rumour that develops seemingly unstoppable momentum, and the Joe Hart link clearly fits into that category. Luckily, as history shows Liverpool usually fail to sign the players most heavily linked with the club (Zielinksi, Teixeira etc), and with any luck, history will repeat itself here. Hart's personal stats at Torino:

* 36 goals conceded in 23 games (One every 57 mins).

* 5 clean sheets (One every 414 mins).

As a comparison: Mignolet has conceded a goal every 85 minutes this season, which - even factoring in possible differences in defensive quality between Liverpool and Torino - is significantly better.